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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs BreezoMeter

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
BreezoMeter logo

BreezoMeter

Weather

Environmental intelligence for healthier living

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) dark Sky as a standalone app and API no longer exists, it was removed from the App Store and its API shut down; Dark Sky's technology now only exists folded into the built-in Apple Weather app, so any 'Dark Sky' branded product/API can no longer be evaluated or purchased; BreezoMeter no longer an independent product. Google acquired BreezoMeter and breezometer.com now redirects to the Google Maps Platform environment APIs
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, BreezoMeter covers Hyperlocal AQI.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and BreezoMeter actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and BreezoMeter differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)BreezoMeter
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOSApi, Mobile
Founded20112014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Weather).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Minute-by-minute precipitation
  • Next-hour forecasts
  • Severe weather alerts
  • Air quality
  • UV index
  • iOS widgets
  • Siri
  • Apple Watch

Only in BreezoMeter

  • Hyperlocal AQI
  • Pollen forecasts
  • Fire tracking
  • Health recommendations
  • Historical data
  • REST API
  • Mobile SDKs
  • Enterprise systems

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple Watchnot BreezoMeter
  • Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot BreezoMeter
  • Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot BreezoMeter
  • Receiving severe weather notificationsnot BreezoMeter

BreezoMeter

  • Professional Worknot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Content Creationnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Dark Sky as a standalone app and API no longer exists, it was removed from the App Store and its API shut down; Dark Sky's technology now only exists folded into the built-in Apple Weather app, so any 'Dark Sky' branded product/API can no longer be evaluated or purchased
  • Apple Weather has no public pricing/API tier of its own comparable to the old Dark Sky API, developers must use Apple's separate WeatherKit product instead
  • Apple Weather (the consumer app) is limited to Apple's own platforms; it is not available on Android or Windows

BreezoMeter

  • No longer an independent product. Google acquired BreezoMeter and breezometer.com now redirects to the Google Maps Platform environment APIs
  • Its capabilities are now bought as Google Maps Platform usage rather than as a standalone subscription

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full weather features
    • Minute-by-minute rain
    • Severe alerts

BreezoMeter

On request
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Air quality API
    • Pollen data
    • Fire data

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Weather (Dark Sky) if

  • You need minute-by-minute precipitation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, macOS.
  • You also want next-hour forecasts.
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) review

Choose BreezoMeter if

  • You need hyperlocal aqi.
  • You work on Api, Mobile.
  • You also want pollen forecasts.
BreezoMeter review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or BreezoMeter better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and BreezoMeter at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or BreezoMeter?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and On request for BreezoMeter.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or BreezoMeter run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. BreezoMeter runs on Api, Mobile.
Can I use Apple Weather (Dark Sky) for free?
Yes. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. BreezoMeter starts at On request.
What is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) best used for?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) is most often used for checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iphone/ipad/mac/apple watch, viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 days, viewing high-resolution precipitation radar maps, receiving severe weather notifications. Of those, checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iphone/ipad/mac/apple watch and viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 days are not what BreezoMeter is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that BreezoMeter cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. BreezoMeter covers Hyperlocal AQI, Pollen forecasts, Fire tracking, Health recommendations.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apple Weather (Dark Sky): Is Dark Sky still available as a standalone service?

No. Dark Sky is no longer a standalone service. The Dark Sky API was discontinued on March 31, 2023, and replaced by Apple's WeatherKit API. Apple integrated Dark Sky's features into its native Weather app.

Source
BreezoMeter: How does Google Maps Platform pricing work?

Google Maps Platform offers two pricing models: Pay-as-you-go with individual products charged based on usage, or Subscribe to save with monthly subscription plans providing bundled access.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What features from Dark Sky are now in Apple Weather?

Apple Weather includes hyperlocal forecasts down to 0.001° precision, next-hour precipitation forecasts with charts and maps, extended hourly forecasts for 10 days, high-resolution weather maps with precipitation and air quality overlays, and government-issued severe weather alerts.

Source
BreezoMeter: What subscription tiers are available?

Google Maps Platform offers Starter, Essentials, and Pro subscription plans, each providing 'a generous allowance of calls and access to our most popular products'.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What API replaced Dark Sky's API?

Developers who used Dark Sky API can now use Apple's WeatherKit API, which works across multiple platforms and replaces the deprecated Dark Sky API.

Source
BreezoMeter: Is there free usage available?

Yes. The platform includes complimentary monthly allocations. For example, Essentials Map Tiles APIs provide up to 100,000 calls at no cost per SKU per month.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What versions of Apple OS support the new Weather features?

Apple Weather with the new features is accessible on iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS 13 Ventura or newer, available through the App Store.

Source
BreezoMeter: Can I start without a credit card?

Yes. A Maps Demo Key enables developers to 'start building in seconds without a credit card', allowing prototype development without payment setup.

Source
BreezoMeter: Do pricing terms differ by region?

Yes. Google notes that 'Product availability, functionality and terms may differ for customers with billing addresses in the European Economic Area (EEA)'.

Source
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